1 66 BRITISH DOGS 



English Sheepdog, therefore, may be a curtal-dog without being 

 a Cur in the sense of a degenerate dog, yet a Cur in the higher 

 sense of the useful, shepherd's Cur of the old Welsh laws. 



With regard to the character of the English Sheepdog, both 

 old and modern writers differ greatly. Vero Shaw says : " The 

 disposition of several rough Bobtail Sheepdogs we have met with 

 has differed considerably from that of the Collie, being mild and 

 affectionate." 



Meyrick says : " The English Sheepdog does not possess the 

 fidelity and sagacity of the Collie, but he is a teachable and 

 intelligent animal. ... In temper he is treacherous and savage, 

 but not by any means courageous." 



"Idstone" describes the dog as "surly," "slower and heavier 

 than the Collie, and not so sprightly, nor, on the whole, so sagacious." 

 Yet, in the same article, he says " the feats he performs are 

 the result of his own marvellous sagacity." Then, according to 

 " Idstone," the sagacity of the Collie is more than marvellous ; or 

 perhaps " Idstone " meant that whilst the mother-wit of the English 

 Sheepdog was wonderful, the gumption of the Collie was incredible ; 

 or perhaps " Idstone " did not very closely consider the question 

 in correcting his proofs. 



Youatt, writing of the disposition of the Sheepdog, says : " If he 

 be but with his master, he lies content, indifferent to every surround- 

 ing object, seemingly half asleep and half awake, rarely mingling 

 with his kind, rarely courting, and generally shrinking from, the 

 notice of a stranger ; but the moment duty calls, his sleepy, listless 

 eye becomes brightened, he eagerly gazes on his master, inquires 

 and comprehends all he is to do, and, springing up, gives himself 

 to the discharge of his duty with a sagacity, fidelity, and devotion 

 too rarely equalled even by man himself." 



It has been claimed as a characteristic of the Bobtailed 

 English Sheepdog, that " he has the peculiar habit of running 

 over the backs of sheep when in flock in order to head them, and 

 on that account is highly valued in fairs and markets." " Stone- 

 henge," " Idstone," R. J. Lloyd Price, and many others have all 

 advanced this as special to the breed. Such a habit is not at 

 all peculiar to the Bobtails : any Collie that is up to its business 

 will do so when occasion requires, as every one must have 

 observed who has attended a sheep-fair or a market. 



Whatever reason there may have been for imputing bad temper 

 to the Old English Sheepdog in the pre-exhibition days, there 

 is certainly none now, for it is fairly well known that a more docile 

 variety, taken generally, does not exist. A closer connection with 

 the outside world than was possible when the breed was kept solely 

 by the shepherd and the farmer has doubtless tended, as in the 

 case of many other breeds, to improve the temperament. Shows, 



